Agreement between school systems a good sign

An agreement between the city and county schools that could be mutually beneficial in improving educational attainment for our students represents something that in recent years would never have happened. But we certainly view it as a welcome sign.

In case you missed it, last week we reported that the Hazard Independent Board of Education approved a memorandum of agreement with Perry County Schools that will “allow for a comprehensive effort to improve college and career readiness, provide high quality extra- and co-curricular activities for students K-12, and meet the unique needs of all students enrolled in each district.”

Additionally, Perry County Interim Superintendent Jonathan Jett attended the city school board’s meeting. The significance of a superintendent from Perry County attending a meeting of the Hazard school board was not lost on us.

We view this collaboration as a significant step in positive relations between the two school districts, and proof in and of itself that two school systems in the same county do not have to be constantly at odds, especially when it comes to educating students. Indeed, this shows that two districts can actually work together to benefit pupils on both sides.

Following a couple of turbulent years in the county school district, it seems there is a new environment there, and it’s one we think could pay dividends for the students. Obviously, there remains much work to do with the state’s new accountability system now in place, but we have little doubt our school districts in both Hazard and Perry County have the ability to meet that challenge, especially when we all decide to work together.